Those critics will point to Romo's fourth-quarter interception, the one that killed a chance for a game-winning drive with 117 seconds left in a tied game, as the epitome of Romo's career.

Forget that Romo had just set a Cowboys' record for passing yards with 506 and thrown five touchdown passes in what might have been the most entertaining game of the season. The interception is what will linger.

Denver linebacker Danny Trevathan, who had escaped a serious injury after being carted off the practice field in Denver on Wednesday, dove in front of Romo's attempt to lace a pass to tight end Gavin Escobar. Trevathan cradled the ball into his arms at the 14-yard line, effectively handing the ball back to Manning and the Broncos' offense. Moments later, Matt Prater kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.

"It's frustrating," Romo said.

And yet, all too familiar for the Cowboys.

No matter how well Romo has played â?? and this season, he's played great, with only one interception in the first four games -- he's always been considered a lesser quarterback than the top group of Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees.

Had Romo's afternoon ended with a game-winning drive and not a drive-killing interception, Romo seriously could have entered that conversation after a jaw-dropping day against Denver. He led the Cowboys to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, and then nearly matched Manning score-for-score in the second half.

Romo escaped Denver's pass rush, proving to be far more elusive than any Broncos' defenders had expected, and repeatedly found mismatches as Denver's defense struggled to cover Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. While big-time quarterbacks like Joe Flacco, Eli Manning and Michael Vick have wilted in games against the Broncos this season, Romo was the first one up to challenging Manning, who threw for 414 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another score.

"Tony was awesome today. He made some great plays," Manning said.

Romo stepped to an interview podium to try to explain that interception after leaving what Jones, the Cowboys' owner, described as a silent locker room.

"It's funny, you can get over a win pretty quick and get ready for the next one. But you lose, and it just eats at you, just grinds away at you thinking what could we have done," Romo said. "What should I have done?"